Category :Travelogue

As a child, I traveled a great deal with my parents, mostly to Europe and the Middle East. Whenever we arrived at our destination, the first thing my mother did was take my brother and I to the local pharmacy (or pharmacie). Whether we were in Tel Aviv, Paris, Berlin or Florence, somehow my mother always knew which pharmacy was the best. These outings felt like an adventure: The pharmacies overseas were different from those in New York City. They were fancy and old world and I loved them.

It Was All About the Toothpaste

I was always fascinated by the toothpaste. Each country had different colored and shaped packaging, with writing in different languages that made them seem so much more special than tubes of Aim, Crest or Colgate. My mother would buy 5 or 6 tubes each of several different brands to take home. In fact, I don’t remember a time when we had American toothpaste in the house. I usually brushed with brands like Elgydium, Elemex, Tayadent and Inaden. (At that time you could not purchase Elgydium in the US.)

Banish Hairy-feeling Teeth for Good

For some reason these exotic toothpaste brands were the only solution that relieved my hairy-feeling teeth blues. Not literally hairy of course, but hairy meaning not squeaky-clean feeling. And each brand had its own specialty. Elgydium, from France, makes a whitening or Blancheur version, as well as one for sensitive teeth and gums. Elemex, from Germany, makes a sensitive formula as well but also has a special travel kit with a handy dandy put-it-together-yourself toothbrush. It is incredibly charming! Inaden hails from Greece with a uniquely minty flavor. Tayadent is an Israeli brand that comes in a plastic triangle-like box…in liquid form. It suds up like soap in your mouth! You have never seen anything like it. Many Israelis make fun of me for liking this toothpaste; they would rather use Colgate or Crest. But again, this is another toothpaste that banishes that not so fresh, hairy teeth feeling. If you really want to boost the efficacy of these babies and pack an extra fresh punch, use Vine’s Negative Ion Care Water in conjunction with these brands. You won’t believe how clean your entire mouth will feel.

Insider Travel Toothpast Tip

Most full size toothpaste is actually TSA travel size. Remember any product that is 3.4 fl oz or 100 ml or less is technically travel size. Most toothpaste tubes are 75 ml or less.

Everyone Wants What They Can’t Have

I guess everyone longs for exotic, harder-to-find products from overseas. The grass just always seems greener on the other side of the ocean, and if brushing my teeth with toothpaste from around the world makes me feel a little more special, well, aren’t I a lucky girl!

Winter is upon us, which for many means traveling. Whether you are off to the slopes of St. Moritz or the sands of St. Barths, packing proper skin care is essential!

Going to the Beach?

Be sure to have a sunscreen for face and body that will protect your skin from the sun – one that is easy to reapply after a dip in the ocean. Everyone is unique and reacts to the elements differently. Sun tends to accelerate the skin’s aging process. Bring B. Kamins Laboratories Sun Defense SPF 30 for face, neck and décolleté. It not only protects you from the harmful rays of the sun, but also guards against premature wrinkles that can result from sun exposure.

For Body

Pack Institut Esthederm Adaptasun Sea and Tropics Body Lotion SPF 20. Adaptasun ensures safe prolonged sun exposure in severe conditions, including the intense tropical sun. It allows a deep, intense natural tan to develop without any harmful UV damage. Adaptasun is formulated with UV in-Cellium Technology to protect the skin from the inside by strengthening its self-defense systems. This hi-tech sunscreen is also extremely moisturizing, and can be used as your primary body moisturizer during your trip, making it a multi-tasking skin care product ideal for traveling light.

Let’s Not Forget…

If you can’t make it to the spa before your trip, here is a great tip:

pack Bliss Poetic Waxing Strips for Body! They are superb for use on legs and other bits that might be in need of a fleecing. The wax is spa-quality and can be quickly warmed by rubbing in between your hands. These strips are very convenient and easy to use on the go – even in your hotel room.

Going Skiing?

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean that you are safe from the sun’s harmful rays. In addition to the sun, strong winds and bitter cold can also attack skin, breaking down its defenses and leading to further damage. I recommend applying a hearty anti-aging serum, like B. Kamins Laboratories Nia-Stem Serum Kx. This unique formulation includes:

Niacin

Plant stem cells

The exclusive Bio-Maple™ Compound

This unique combination minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and age spots. It detoxifies skin cells to reveal bright, even-toned and younger-looking skin. Follow the serum with a great moisturizing facial sunscreen, like B. Kamins Laboratories Sun Defense SPF 30. This is a perfect duo to protect your face as you as plow down the mountain.

For Lips

Whether you’ll be seeing sand or snow, be sure to pack B. Kamins Laboratories SPF 20 Lip Balm as well. In extreme cold, wind or sun, lips are usually the first place to suffer. Just a few minutes of exposure to extreme weather can lead to days of chapped, cracked lips. Reapply your lip balm frequently to keep your lips comfortable and protected all day and night.

There is very little difference between caring for your hair at the beach and when skiing. In each instance, your hair is subjected to similar environmental hazards. For example, windy conditions, the sun, sweat, salt or chlorinated pool/sauna water, even hats—be they large rimmed sun hats or snug & wooly ski attire.

The primary consideration is protection from all of these elements, of which I will describe below:

Salt & Chlorinated Water

Salt water has an osmotic effect on the hair, meaning that it leaches water out of your hair. Chlorinated water can be just as damaging. To protect your hair from associated distress, use Philip Kingsley Swimcap. I originally formulated it for the U.S. synchronized swim team in 1984 and it contains UV protectors, moisturizers and is highly water resistant.

The Sun

Have you noticed that the skin on your face burns just as easily on the beach as when skiing? The same applies to your hair & scalp. The sun on both the slopes and the beach can be exceedingly damaging, causing hair to become brittle and dry and any exposed scalp prone to burn. To help prevent this, use my Swimcap Cream (as described earlier), or wear a hat. To re-hydrate and replenish your hair & scalp, apply an intensive treatment twice a week. I recommend using my Exfoliating Scalp Mask and multi-award winning pre-shampoo conditioner, Elasticizer. They both ensure trouble-free scalps and resilient, manageable, shiny hair.

Wind

Apply weatherproof products that counteract dehydration. For example, Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence. As an added bonus, this will enable you to have protected and flyaway-free hair when going to social events!

Sweat

The sun, physical exertion and hats can all cause a sweaty scalp. This can result in itching, a buildup of bacteria and greasy looking hair. Apply Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner to your scalp to inhibit the spread of bacteria, clear irritation and soak up excess oils. Furthermore, always shampoo your hair at the end of the day to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and hair. Choose the correct shampoo according to your hair type and follow with the correct conditioner, also according to your hair type. If necessary – and it won’t harm – shampoo your hair in the morning, too.